Modern day christians have a bad habit of thinking faith is a thing, something they possess, and something to work up, stir up, or release, but that's not biblical faith. The trend in the bible is
-God said something not seen
-people believe
That is faith. Most modern day christians do not have faith because they don't believe his words. They claim to believe the Word of God, but they don't believe the words of God, and how could they since most don't know what his words are? What of Abram? What was it he believed? Just that his old body, dead in the area of producing seed, was capable of having a child simply because God said so. That he'd have a baby. That's it! Christians are supposed to believe they are dead. Crucified with Christ, and alive unto God, as those alive from the dead. If a christian can not do that and overcome this little world by walking after the Spirit not after the flesh, why would there be any evidence of faith in their life? There wouldn't. So they have to attribute things in their life to faith even though it has nothing to do with their faith, but actually their lack of faith. God disciplines those he loves that do not obey. If faith is proof of what is not seen and proof of the things we hope for, where is the proof? Where is the faith? the believing?
Faith without fruit (I don't mean a good person) is dead! as said already...